"Did you enjoy the movie?" Yes. "What did you see?" The Matrix. "What's it about?" Here is where we had some difficulty providing an answer. With the mind-twisting mix of action, theology, and philosophy blended into cinematic magic, we couldn't really explain the movie we just watched. So, we went with a quote from the film: "No one can be told what the Matrix is, you have to see it for yourself."
Sure, we could describe elements of the film. Hackers, raves, red pill blue pill, Neo, kung fu, bullet time, deja vu, guns - lots of guns, helicopters. But what was it about? We couldn't describe that. Honestly, I'm not even sure we knew, even after watching it. We could describe the Matrix, but not explain what it was about.
Last night, I stepped into an empty theater to watch Annihilation. It is a completely different movie yet my reaction to the two films is remarkably similar. Sure, I can describe Annihilation, tell you what happened. However, I unable to explain what it is about. I'm not even sure I know. There's something about aliens, mystery, grief, immortality, self-destruction, cellular division, doppelgangers, and genetic mutations but so much of it is open for interpretation. The film followed a non-linear timeline, the themes are intentionally ambiguous, and the ending is inconclusive.
Since I can't explain, I will describe. Lena (played by Natalie Portman) is a biologist and professor at Johns Hopkins joins a cryptic and potentially suicidal expedition into an area known as the shimmer (so named because its outer edges look like light refracting through soap bubbles or an oil slick on water). She volunteers to go because she wants to know what happened to her husband (Oscar Isaac) who had been missing for the past year while on a covert mission.
image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Once in the shimmer, Lena and her companions find lush and vibrant floral growth, trees formed into the shape of humans (or people who turned into trees), crocodiles and bears that exhibit genetic qualities of other animals, and deer with plant-like antlers. There, they explore various theories about what caused the shimmer and whether it should be confronted, embraced, or destroyed.
Annihilation begins at the end, with Lena quarantined and being debriefed after returning from the shimmer. Her initial answers are non-committal. She struggles to maintain eye-contact with her interrogator and provides the same response to most of his questions: "I don't know." Those three words adequately explain this movie. What is it about? I don't know. What is the shimmer? I don't know. What does it mean? I don't know. Is it a great movie? I don't know.
Despite its flaws, Annihilation is still worth watching. It is visually stunning with slow pacing that allows you to appreciate the twisted alien scenery. It is delightfully weird from start to finish. It is heavy in both science and fiction. With source material relatively unknown, Annihilation looks and feels wholly original, simultaneously emotionally stirring and intellectually provocative. In a world where Hollywood continually churns out sequels and reboots, we need more movies like Annihilation, willing to take risks and do something different.
A mind-twisting mix of horror, theology, philosophy, and cinematic magic, Annihilation creates a dizzying, puzzling, and sometimes uncomfortable viewing experience. Much like The Matrix, Annihilation must be seen to be understood. No one can be told what the shimmer is, you have to see it for yourself.
image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
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